"La Pepa" is the most famous of the constitutions of Spain, not counting the current one, but the two are not the only constitutions we have had. In this article we want to collect the 8 Spanish constitutions and tell you a little about them, especially why the most famous one has such a peculiar name.
As a small preview, we can say that In 1978 is when the current Spanish Constitution was signed. However, the first of them all is 166 years older than her. And, we can also anticipate that one of those 8 constitutions is not formally recognized.
The Spanish Constitutions
The current Spanish Constitution, It is not the first in our country, there were 7 more documents before it. To know the history of constitutions we have to go back to the beginning of the 1812th century. To XNUMX specifically, the moment when the first Constitution was signed.
As we will see below, there are 8 documents considered as Spanish constitutions, although only 7 of them are formally recognized.
1. The first of the Spanish Constitutions (1812)
In 1812 the Cortes Generales of Cádiz, made up of 296 deputies, were preparing to sign the first Constitution of our country and go down in the history books. At a time of post-war against the Napoleonic occupation, the document "the Constitution of Cádiz" would mark a milestone of great relevance in the constitutional history in Spain and other countries. establishing democratic principles and national sovereignty.
The day chosen to sign a document with such importance was March 19, Saint Joseph's Day. The citizens, aware of what had just been done and its importance, began to cheer the signing of the Constitution shouting: "Long live Pepa!" in reference to Saint Joseph's Day. From that moment, the cry of joy became the nickname that would accompany the first Spanish Constitution throughout history.
2. The Constitution of 1837
It is the first constitution of the reign of Elizabeth II, which marked an advance towards liberalism. We are looking at a document that was signed on July 18, 1837. It was Written at a time of political instability with the Carlist War and the regency of María Cristina, mother of Queen Elizabeth II. It established a constitutional and representative political regime with national sovereignty as a fundamental principle. It also defined citizen rights and freedoms, although with limitations regarding political participation.
The approval of the Constitution was key in the evolution of liberalism in Spain and would mark the beginning of important reforms. However, it was criticized by the opposition and generated, in turn, political tensions.
3. The Constitution of 1845
We are facing a more conservative version that reinstated aspects of the old regime. It was promulgated on June 30, 1845 and emerged from a context of political and social instability after the First Carlist War. The writing was carried out by a group of moderate liberals in search of establishing a political regime that would balance the powers of the State and guarantee individual freedoms.
4. The Constitution of 1869
The "Glorious Revolution" of 1868 led to more radical and progressive ideas that ended up being reflected in the Constitution. It was approved on June 1, 1869, coming into force at the end of that month. It established a parliamentary system, declared national sovereignty and guaranteed fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association and the press. It was also characterized by the proclamation of the equality of citizens before the law.
5. The Constitution of 1876
It established a more moderate political framework that remained in force for a long time, from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th. It was signed under the reign of Alfonso XII, after the Bourbon Restoration. This Constitution established a parliamentary framework, a system of constitutional monarchy and
6. The Constitution of 1931
During the Second Republic, this Constitution was signed, being quite modern for its time, with a focus on social rights and the separation of church and state.
7. The Constitution of 1939
In reality, we are facing a "Constitution" that It is not recognized as a state figure. It was promulgated during the Franco regime and was more of a set of laws and decrees.
8. The current Constitution (1978)
On December 6, 1978, the current Spanish Constitution was signed. A whole process that began with the death of Francisco Franco in 1975 and the subsequent transition towards democracy in Spain. Developing this constitution was a job done in consensus by various political forces, so it represented a broad spectrum of Spanish society at that time.
The General Courts, elected in June 1977, would be responsible for drafting said Constitution. Subsequently, it would be approved on October 31, 1978 and subsequently submitted to a popular referendum on December 6, 1978, obtaining 88,54% of votes in favor. The Constitution entered into force on December 29, 1978, marking a milestone in the history of our country by establishing a framework of rights and freedoms and defining the country as a parliamentary monarchy.
